Alpha-globin gene markers identify genetic differences between Australian aborigines and Melanesians.
Australian aborigines exhibit a number of alpha-globin cluster rearrangements involving both alpha- and zeta-globin genes. alpha+-Thalassemia (-alpha/) in this population is heterogeneous and includes the 3.7 types I, II, and III gene deletions. The alpha alpha alpha/ and zeta zeta zeta/ rearrangements are each found in association with two haplotypes, indicating origins from at least two separate DNA crossover events. Differences in alpha-globin cluster rearrangements and in haplotypes between Australian aborigines, Papua New Guinea highlanders and island Melanesians, are consistent with multiple colonizing events into Australia.
Tsintsof
A S
AS
Clinical Immunology Research Centre, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Hertzberg
M S
MS
Prior
J F
JF
Mickleson
K N
KN
Trent
R J
RJ
D044383:Black People / Q000235:genetics*; D003434:Crossing Over, Genetic; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D015321:Gene Rearrangement; D005828:Genetics, Population; D005914:Globins / Q000235:genetics*; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D008542:Melanesia; D005810:Multigene Family; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D000095283:Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
D005914:Globins; D004247:DNA